Aviation Safety

Slow Progress, Uncertain Future Threaten FAA Program To Measure Safety Gao ID: T-IMTEC-92-12 April 1, 1992

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made little progress in implementing a safety indicators program. In particular, management commitment and effective user involvement in the program have been lacking. While user involvement appears to be increasing, prospects for the program's future remain in doubt because of long-term funding uncertainties and the unreliability of source data. In sum, GAO concludes that one cannot manage what one cannot measure. FAA cannot ensure the safety of the millions of Americans who fly until it commits to a system that can accept and analyze crosscutting data. Such a system must include reliable data that can provide managers with validated indicators that measure degrees of safety--indicators that can warn of needed remedial action. While FAA is considering new initiatives to come to terms with these problems, sustained management support and attention will still be necessary if FAA is to realize the potential benefits that this program can offer.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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